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Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie, the holiday appetizer. It’s quick, easy, and most importantly…incredibly delicious. Store-bought puff pastry wrapped around creamy brie cheese with homemade cranberry sauce and toasted pecans. Then baked until the pastry is golden and the brie warm and melty. A truly mouth-watering appetizer that’s perfect for holiday entertaining. It’s festive, easy to prepare, and always a crowd favorite.
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I can remember so many holiday parties spent at my Nonnie’s house when she served this brie. This was her go-to appetizer. She perfected the Brie appetizer. And let’s be honest, she really perfected the holiday party.
My Nonnie had a way of making every party she held, whether big or small, feel so special. She paid attention to detail and was always the perfect host. She was welcoming, social, and she did her parties up in her own style too.
She could give us all a lot of tips when it comes to throwing a holiday party that people really want to attend. I know that at the top of her list would be two things, keep the wine flowing, and always, always have good appetizers.
She had an assortment of easy appetizers she’d turn to for her parties. But cranberry baked brie was a holiday staple. On Christmas day she’d serve this before dinner and it was always the first dish to go.
I don’t have her exact recipe, so this recipe is more from memory, but it’s totally delicious. She’d very much approve.
This brie is easy – start with the cranberries
If you happen to have cranberry sauce in the fridge, you can skip this very first step. Otherwise, start with the cranberries!
I made a quick sauce with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and maple syrup. Nonnie definitely used brown sugar, but maple feels little less sweet to me. I added a splash of vanilla and a tiny pinch of cinnamon for a sweet/savory combination.
Next, the pastry
Nonnie knew that appetizers needed to be simple, so store-bought puff pastry was a must.
Unwrap the brie, then sit it on top of the puff pastry dough. Top the brie with the cranberry sauce, and then a handful of toasted pecans. Then wrap the brie up.
Last step, brush the pastry with an egg wash and add a sprinkle of course sugar or drizzle of honey. This step isn’t needed, but it makes the pastry really sparkle. It’s fun for the holidays and adds a nice deliciousness too.
Throw the brie in the oven, and done.
Quick, easy, and perfect!
When the brie comes out of the oven, serve it immediately with your favorite crackers or toasted bread. It’s hard to describe just how good this really is. But if you love cranberries, and you love brie, you must make this. It’s classic, but turned up a notch, and it really is roll-your-eyes-back GOOD.
Promise, this will be the favorite appetizer of the night!
Looking for other easy brie recipes?? Here are my favorites:
5 Ingredient Cranberry Brie Cinnamon Puff Pastry Swirls
Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread
Mini Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie Bites
Lastly, if you make this Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie
Ingredients
Cranberry Sauce
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch sea salt
Brie
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 8-12 ounce wheel of brie cheese
- 2/3 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 egg, beaten
- coarse sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
- 1. To make the cranberry sauce: in a medium pot, bring the cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt to a boil over medium heat. Boil 10-15 minutes or until the cranberries burst and the sauce becomes jammy.2. Preheat the oven to 425° F.3. Lay the puff pastry flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the brie in the center of the pastry and remove a little of the rind from the top of the brie. I leave the rind on the bottom and sides intact. Spread the cranberry sauce over top and then sprinkle over the pecans. Fold the corners of the pastry over the brie. Brush the pastry with beaten egg and sprinkle lightly with sugar. 4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is deep golden brown. 5. EAT and enjoy with your favorite bread or crackers…or just with a spoon.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I made this as an appetizer for Christmas Eve and it was quite tasty. I used a few phyllo pastry sheets to wrap the brie and cranberry sauce. How many sheets would you recommend using?
Hey Teri,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try! For this dish, you want to use 1 sheet of puff pastry, not phyllo dough:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I made this for an appetizer for Hanukkah, it was such a crowd pleaser! I had left over cranberry sauce which I am using tomorrow. The recipe was very fun to make and it was completely devoured. I just saw the new baked Brie with prosciutto, and that will definitely be the next one I try!!!
Hey Abigail,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
Hi, will a triangle Brie work instead of a round wheel?
Hi Zoey,
You can use the triangle, but it’s not going to make half as much as the wheel of brie so I would reduce the prosciutto and puff pastry as well. Please let me know if there is anything else that I can help with! xT
Can I used frozen cranberries? Went to three stores and they are out of fresh.
Hey Jeru,
Sure, frozen cranberries would be just fine for you to use! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope it turns out well for you! xT
I can’t find puff pastry anywhere! Apparently I’m not the only one excited to try this recipe! (😉)Any other options I could use to replace puff pastry? 😩
Hey Anna,
Ahhh so sorry! You could try using croissant dough, it might be a little messy! I hope this helps! xT
Hi! Which crackers do you have in the photo? This looks delicious!
Hi Candace,
Thanks! They are called Raincoast Crisps. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This was amazing. It was the first appetizer gone at my party last night (my friends inhaled it!! Followed the recipe exactly as written. So, so, so good!
Hey Karen,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review! Love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy Sunday!🎄
How far in advance can this be put together before baking? Can it be done the day before?
Hey Rose Ann,
Totally, that will work well for you! I hope this recipe turns out delish, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Served this Thanksgiving and the family loved it!! I’m enjoying the leftovers also.
C
Hey Cindy,
Happy Monday!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
So simple to execute – yet such an elevated holiday app! Absolutely delicious. (And the cranberry sauce will be my new go to).
Hey Melissa,
Happy Sunday!!⛄️ I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xxT
I made this for Thanksgiving yesterday (but with almonds since the grocery store was out of pecans). I made extra cranberry sauce for the side and I already had multiple family members ask for the recipe. The Brie pastry was also devoured!
Hey Tara,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for giving it a try! Have a great weekend:)
This dish is amazing! Followed it exactly and it came out just like the picture. Perfect start to the Thanksgiving holiday!
Hi Leslie,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for giving it a try! Have a great weekend:)
I’m not an orange flavor fan. What can I use in place (and how much) if I want just to cranberry flavor?
Hi Kerrie,
You really aren’t going to get orange flavor here, but it helps to balance out the sweetness from the cranberry. Stick with the orange, you might be pleasantly surprised:) xx
Forgot to get maple syrup. Can I sub brown sugar? How much?
Hi Joni,
Sure, you can use an equal amount of brown sugar. I hope you love the recipe! Happy Thanksgiving! xx
So this can be put together ahead of time, just bake before serving? I wasn’t sure from your other answers. I would like to do this tonight, but want to be sure. Thanks! I can’t wait to try it!!
Hi Junia,
Yes, that would work best for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx